Planning a trip to Alaska - Need feed back from our Canadian Friends

[Roam America]

I am looking for some feedback from our Canadian friends. Let me start by saying that I use trip planning software specific to RV’ing. I load in my RV (F450/38’ 5er) length and height and it keeps that into consideration when calculating the route. I has, on a few occasions, led me thru a strange path, but when researching further it turned out there was a low over-pass or a length restriction on what looked like a better path.

That said, I am beginning to plan a trip to Alaska. I will be leaving Texas and stopping at Glacier National Park on the way to Fairbanks Alaska. My trip planner routed me on the following routes thru Canada:

• 2N to Calgary
• 1W/93W to Jasper, BC
• 16W to Gitwangak, BC
• 37 into Yukon where the map shows 37 turns into 1.
• 1 thru Whitehorse to Alaska border

I’ve been reading posts about getting thru customs. I am curious about the route provided. My software shows me services along a router thru the U.S., but not in Canada. Considering the combination I am driving:

• Does this router seems plausible for a truck/5er combo that is roughly 55’ long?
• Are there sufficient fuel stops on this path? I do not have a 2nd fuel tank, only my 34 gallon stock tank. I usually top off around every 250 miles.
• What about camping availability on this path? We are not against boondocking, but we prefer to stay in CG’s.

Any input is appreciated about this route or a better option(s).

[crazycanuck]

hello k-star
You might want to get maps of alberta ,bc, and yukon for closer study.
i would enter canada from montana hwy 15 at sweet grass,this is a major truck route and your rig should have no problem.
I might look at hwy 2 north to edmonton then 43 to grand prairie then 97 thru bc to Hwy #1 (alaska hwy).
I hear gas stations are far and few ,you might look at carrying exta gerry cans if you limited to 250 miles
carl

[CLIFFTALL]

Here's a link to a publication called milepost. http://milepost.com/

I would not leave home without it. It was most valuable during our trip to Alaska.

Cliff

[corjaguar]

As for fuel........you get fuel where you you can.......don't expect to find gas every 250 miles. And as you go thru Canada and the Yukon, be prepaired to be buying your fuel in liters...last I heard it was around 1.35/liter.
When we were up that way, campgrounds were available, but they were restricted to the length, and some could not handle slides. Try and get a copy of the Mile post....your best bet in being informed......I guess you would say you should not leave home without it.

[Jack1234]

Hey K-Star....We've never done the trip to Alaska, so I will let the experts advise you on getting to your final destination....BUT....we are currently in Jasper (Alberta) and I know you can access the Alaska Highway just north if here at Hinton. Our rig (with toad) is close to 60' and we have never had any problems with roads, bridges or regular gas stops to this point.

Anyway...here's my point...please don't come this far north a neglect to spend a few days in Banff (AB), Lake Louise (AB).... Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper (AB) and then onward to Alaska....you'll be sorry if you ignore my advice!!!!

[deSanford]

Mile Post a MUST.........deSanford

[Roam America]

Thanks to all. My copy of Milepost arrived Saturday (ordered from Amazon last week). I'll be looking at it closely over the next few months.

Jack - thanks for the advice. Will keep all that in mind.

[Rocky 2]

Most people consider doing the Stewart-Cassiar highway on the return trip from Alaska in order to see the bears at Hyder during the salmon run. Aside from that, your route will work. Fuel is an issue for you especially if you plan to leave early in the year. Try to drive on the top half of your tank.

[rebelone]

We made the trip to Chicken Alaska this year.Left home here in Ontario Canada drove to the Alaska highway. One of the best trips yet. It is a must see. Spent 2 months on the road. Most places have fuel. Plan ahead as lots of stops on the way have been closed for lack of business, I would think? With this in mind most travellers looked like they had extra fuel with them, Lack of cell phone would be a problem if you run out in the north. Many highway signs would show fuel stops, when you get their they may have been closed for some time. As far as problem with clearance we had no problems any where. I have a 40 foot RV diesel pusher, towing a Jeep GC. Also I have 100 gallon fuel tank. Good Luck it is a great place to visit.
Rebel

[wingnut60]

Left TX on May 11 and got back on Sept 11--thru Glacier to Banff/Jasper/Hinton/Grand Cache/Grand Prairie/Dawson Creek/Ft St John/Fort Nelson/Watson Lake/Whitehorse/Dawson City/Chicken/Tok/Delta
Junction/Fairbanks. Then to Anchorage/Seward/Homer and back to Anchorage. Return was thru Glennallen/Tok/Beaver Creek/Haines Jct/Whitehorse/Watson Lake/Dease Lake/Prince George/Williams Lake/Cache Creek/Hope and Abbotsford. Rest of trip was WA and OR coast. Then Crater Lake/Tahoe and the boring rest of the trip back to TX. One place the road is extremely bad condition is from AK border to Haines Jct--beat us to death at any speed.

Fuel availability not too much a problem, but price was.

As rebelone says--lots of roadhouses/fuel stops closed, so always travel with filled tanks, do not depend on getting fuel every 50 miles--I have a 90 gal diesel on board and that was a BIG help.

If I can help you in any way, email me direct at joejd at aol.com

Joe

[wingnut60]

K-star,
Your single tank is going to keep you busy looking for fuel--we have similar rigs, but mine drinks more fuel than yours will. You should carry a 5gal tank of diesel at all times just for insurance--I guarantee you it will look good to you when you have gone 250 miles and you find out you are still 100 miles to fuel stop.
What do you plan for night stops? If you don't mind dry-camping, there are many good paved turnouts that will accomodate your rig.
Joe